Box-end-making machine



June 10, 1930. H. P.. SCHUCK BOX END MAKING MACHINE Fild Feb. 4, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l I N V EN TOR Harold]? Sc/mck BY W 41 A TTORNEYS.

Filed Feb. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 l v \llllllIl/l I l l l t 1 1.1V

lllllllllxllllll I I k INVENTOR. Harold]? 807211070 26; ATTORNEYS.

June 10, 1930. H. P. scHucK 1,752,642

BOX END MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.3.

"5 MINVENTOR.

HaroZdR Schzzc/c By M 9 ATTORNEYJI June 10, 1930.

H. P.-SCHUCK BOX 'END MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TO R.

Harold]? Schzzcic 4 BY 1 i a 4 ATTORNEYS.

June 10, 1930. H. P. SCHUCK 7 BOX END MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Harb ldEkS'chzzclo Y 4, 'ATTORNEYJ.

Patented June 1%, 1930 Ui iiITlE 'ATES HAROLD P ITMAN SCHUCK. OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNOR T DANIELS & SCI- INCL, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE BOX-END-MAKIN G MACHINE Application filed February 4, 1929. Serial No. 337,441.

This invention relates to woodworkingmachines and aims to provide an improved machine for making composite wooden sections.

A machine of one practicable construction embodying the invention is shown for illustration in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of the illustrative machine;

Fig. 2 is a rear end elevation thereof on enlarged scale;

Figs. 8 and 3 are enlarged longitudinal sectional elevations respectively of the for- Ward and rearward halves of the machine drawn to the same scale for placing together to show a complete section; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged parti-sectional elevation looking toward the front end of the machine and showing only certain details of construction.

The illustrative machine is designed more particularly for making composite box ends from odd lengths and widths of lumber referred to as scrap lumber, although upon slight adjustment it is adapted to also "rake parquet floor sections and the like. It will facilitate understanding to here state that the machine assembles a number of wooden slats or pieces side-by-side and unites them in a rigid panel by first trimming and grooving their ends and then inserting glue-coated splines or cleats into the grooved ends.

in the drawings, the machine work-table is represented by complementary slab sections 5 supported on pedestal members 6 providing a strong and rigid element-supporting structure (see Figs. 3 and 3 On a rear corner of the table is a hopper structure embodying a bottom 7, a front plate 8 with an outlet opening 8 and side wall plates 9 and 10. The last-mentioned plate laterally adjustable by attached bar 11 extending through a clamp-bracket 12 for widening or narrowing the hopper. A

combined back-wall assembly-platform and guard is provided by an angular or inverted J-shaped plate 13 supported on brackets 7, let for sliding movement toward and from the front plate of the hopper (see Figs. 1 and 2).

Into this hopper, wooden slats or pieces are placed side-by-side in tiers with their longitudinal edges at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the table. The number of slats placeable in each tier will depend upon the widths of the individual pieces and the breadth to which the hopper is ad justed according to widths of composite panels desired. The slats may vary somewhat in length to a maximum for which the back-plate 13 is set according to other adjustments of the machine. An attendant feeding the hopper will find it convenient to arrange the slats on the top-portion of this plate from which he may shove them forward onto subjacent tiers of slats previously placed in the hopper.

Underneath the hopper structure is a conveyor which, in this instance, comprises a pair of endless chains 15 moving in grooves in the hopper bottom and carrying one or more cross-bars 16. These chains pass around pairs of sprockets 17 and 18 fixed respectively on shafts 19 and 20 and driven by power applied as hereinafter described.

The cross-bar or bars on said conveyor successively engaged behind the ends of the lowermost tier of slats in the hopper and push them forward through its outlet opening 8 to position overlying another conveyor, their outward movement being limited by an abutment piece 21 opposite the hopper outlet. By thus removing the slats of each tier longitudinally instead of laterally, the possibility of jamming against the slats of superposed tiers is eliminated.

The other or second conveyor comprises a pair of endless chains 22 moving longitudinally of the table at right angles to the first conveyor and carrying spaced crossbar elements 23. These chains pass around pairs of sprockets 24 and 25 fixed respectively on shafts 26 and 27 and driven by power applied to said shaft 27 through a chain or belt 28 from a speed-reducer associated with a motor 29 (see Figs. 3 and 3).

It may here be stated that the drive of I after explained.

shaft 26 is conveniently imparted to the aforementioned shaft 20 through intermeshing bevel gears 30 and 31 respectively keyed thereon, so that the two conveyors will move synchronously (see Fig. 2).

The second conveyor travels between ledge-rails 32 extending longitudinally of the table in parallel relation and providing guides between which the slats delivered across the conveyor are laterally moved along the table. Between the conveyor chains, a sill-plate 33 is shown extending level with said ledge-rails and therewith providing work-grooves for the chains and a slide-platform for the slats (see Figs. 1 and 2). V

The cross-bar elements on this second conveyor successively engage behind the tires of slats successively delivered thereover by the first conveyor and push them laterally along the slide-platform between the aforesaid ledge-rails or guide members to the forward end of the table. During this .movement and during withdrawal fronr the hopper also, the slats are held downfirmly by yielding spring clamps 34 arranged successively along elevated bars 35 which are rigidly supported between the ledge-rails by brackets 36 carried by the latter (see Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 8 As the tiers of slats are successively engaged and carried along by this second or longitudinal conveyor, they are moved initially against apair of pivoted spring-ten- 'sioned levers 37 and 38 at one side of the slide-platform, which act on the ends of the slats with yielding pressure forcing their opposite ends to alignment against the shouldered rail or guide at the other side of the platform (see Fig. 1).

Continuously advancing with the conveyor, the slats are next subjected to the action of a vertical saw 89 located adjacent said levers, which trims the slats to equal lengths so that their trimmed ends will now align against theshouldered rail or guide at that side of the platform as well as the opposite side. In this instance said saw pro jects through a slotinthe ledge rail and is carried by the rotor-shaft of a motor 40 supported below the table top in a bed movable transversely thereof for a purpose herein- During the, trimming operation, the slats are advantageously steadied by a springpressedroller 41 supported adjacent the saw in a bracket 42 bolted to one of the elevated rods 35 (see Fig. 8

on further advance, the slats are conveyed between horizontal saws 43 extending into their path of movement for the purpose of cutting grooves in the edges at opposite ends thereof. These saws having dust-shields 44 are carried by the rotor-shafts of motors 45. In this instance there are two saws on each supported under the table in carriages 46,

which latter are mounted for vertical and.

horizontal movements bringing the saws to desired elevation and spaced adjustments. Such mounting is effected through bedplates 47 in which the carriages are vertically slidable for independent adjustment by screw-shafts 48 turned, by hand-wheels 48 while said bed-plates shown dovetailed with atransverse part of the work-table structure are horizontally slidable either independently or cooperatively in opposite directions. In this instance they are cooperatively slidable by a connecting two-way worm-shaft 49 journaled in the table structure andoperated as hereinafter described.

During the grooving operation, the slats are held down firmly byspring-pressed shoes 50 supported in a bracket 51 bolted to the elevated rod- 35' (see Fig.

After undergoing the trimming and grooving operations, the slats are finally delivered' by the conveyor onto a portion of the slide-platfbrm between opposing hoppers for the insertion of cleats or splines into their grooved ends.

The conveyor delivers the slats onto the platform portionforwardly of a push-memher 52 which normally projects above the platform surface, but yields against spring tension topermit the slats'to slide thereover. This push-memberthereupon engages behind the slats and moves them forwardly to exact position between the cl'eat-feeding hoppers against a stop-bar 53, which latter is simulta-neously raised above the table top. Being thuspositioned,the slats are then held under lateral compresslon between saidpush-mem-v her and stop-bar while cleats are driven into their grooved ends.

Thezpush-member is shown journaled to tilt forwardly against spring-tension in ablock 54 which is slidably mounted on a pair of rods-55 extending rearwardly from a'se c ond block 56 and carrying springs 57. compressible behind. the first-mentioned block I but hold-i-n 'i't normall abuttin the second one. A filler or buffer block 58 is advair tageously placed between the two blocks. These blocks are countersunk in a longitudinal opening 59 in the table topand form partof a slide-structure"actuated intermittently to advance the push-member and simultaneously raise the stop-bar against the tiers of slats successively delivered betwee: the cleat hoppers.

lVith said blocks, this slide-structure nonrprises a frame of parallelbars 60 having under-carriage connection with the block 56 and a supporting guide-block 61 which slides with the former on guide-rails 62 below the table top. Connected with the frame of bars is shown along rod 63 extending rearwardly through a supportbracket 64 and carrying a recoil spring 65 between said bracket and a collar-member 63 on its free end. This rod (hereinafter called the pull-back rod) compresses said spring during forward movement of the slide-structure, thereby storing up energy for snap return on release of the structure. Some other pull-back means may of course be equally effectual.

One or more spring-projected plungers 66 formed in a part fixed to the table structure will serve as a shoclnabsorbing device for the slide-structure on pull-back movement.

The aforesaid stop-bar embodying a T- shaped member having a roller 53 on its lower end is shown vertically movable in a block 67. This block is counter-sunk in the opening 59 in the table top and is slidably adjustable on the guide-rails 62 for positioning the stop-bar according to the width of composite sections to be formed, i. e., with its abutment face in alignment (transversely of the table) with the forwardly extended ends of cleats stacked in the hoppers on opposite sides of the slide-platform. Under action of a snap spring 67 received in said block and pressing against a part on the lower end of the stop-bar, the latter is pushed and held normally down or below the surface of the slide-platform.

On the under-carriage frame of the aforesaid slide-structure a cam-block 68 is shown adjustable according to positioning of the stop-bar for lifting the latter above the platform surface when the slide-structure is moved forward to advance the push-member. Thus, the two plates are moved cooperatively for positioning and laterally compressing the slats between the cleat hoppers as hereinabove stated.

" ported in bearings below the table top and driven by the main shaft 27 through a chain 72 passing over sprockets 73 and 7-1 respectively on the two shafts.

Said cam-member rotating with its shaft engages behind the aforesaid roller and thereby pushes the slide-structure forwardly against resistance of its pull-back rod. During this movement, the delivered slats are positioned between the cleat hoppers by i the aforesaid push-member advancing them against the stop-bar. At the limit of forward movement, said roller rides over the leading edge of the cam-member and along the top thereof, holding the slide-structure in advanced position with the slats compressed between said push-member and stopbar for and during the cleating operation, whereupon the roller riding oil the trailing edge of the cam-member releases the slidestructure for snap return by the pull-back rod.

The tiers of slats successively delivered onto the longitudinal conveyor and subjected to the trimming and grooving operations while advancing therewith as above described, are thereby successively delivered between the cleat hoppers immediately following the cleating operation on the preceding tier, each tier on delivery pushing its preceding cleated tier forwardly and off the table.

As already indicated, hoppers for feeding cleats or splines forced into the grooved ends of the slats are opposingly arranged on opposite sides of the portion of slide-platform onto which the conveyor delivers (see Fi 1 and 4). These hoppers of corresponding construction embody front and back sections 75 and 76 respectively receivin single stacks of cleats and adjustable laterally in accommodation to cleats of variable lengths depending upon the widths of the slat tiers or panels to be formed. The back sections are formed with bottom discharge slots 76 on a level with the open tops of the front sections, while the latter are formed with bottom discharge slots 75 opposing which the grooved ends of the slats are brought when positioned between the hoppers as hereinbefore described.

The two sections of each hopper are con-' nected by a bridge-member 77, across which the cleats continuously supplied to the back section are fed successively therefrom into the topof the front section. Above said bridge-member are transverse span-bars 78, one of which is laterally adjustable in conformity with the hopper adjustment by sliderod 78 (see Fig. 1). Said span-bars carry spring-pressed plungers 79 permitting forward passage but preventing backward movement of the cleats on the bridge-member. These span-bars also carry presssprings 80 for holding down the cleats as they are fed across the bridge-member.

In feeding across said bridge-member, the cleats pass over an idling gluecoatin g roller 81 supported by the bridge-member in a bath of glue supplied by reservoir 82 to a pan represented at 83. Preferably a cold moisture-proof glue is used. lVhile only the bottoms of the cleats are thus coated, each acquires a top coating also from its follower dropping thereon into the front hopper section.

Within the front hopper-section, springtensioned tamps- 84 are shown pressing on the coated cleats for the purpose of spreading the glue thereon. Said tamps are shown depending from a vertically movable yokebar 85 which lifts with each cleating operation to permit the feeding cleats to drop successively into said hopper-section for keeping the latter full.

Said yoke-bar is formed with a series of holes through which selectively (according,

to the length of cleats for which the hoppers are adjusted) the aforesaid tamps are inserted and fastened at their upper ends to individual lift-levers 84? (see Figs. 3 and at). on guide-rods 86 at opposite ends, or'at opposite sides of the hopper, so as to be lifted with said tamps well above the level of the bridge-member except when forcibly held down. The ends of the bar are fastened to vertical slides 87 guided in blocks 87? on opposite sides of the hopper-section and carrying slide-face cam-blocks 88 which work under opposed elements for forcibly holdhave cam-follower rollers 93 moving in opposingly grooved cam-members 94 which are slidably keyed on said shaft 71 against fixed cushioning blocks 94?, thereby adapting them to simultaneous reciprocable movement in opposite directions (see Fig. 4:).

Secured to these cross-heads and forming parts of the aforesaid rack-structures are lower push-plates 95 extending forwardly .in the planes of the discharge slots in the front hopper-sections so as to engage behind and push their lowermost cleats into the opposing grooved ends of waltlng slat tiers on inward movement of the; cross-heads;

Said plates are preferably solid and of a width equal substantially to the breadth of the hoppers, being slotted for adjustment and conveniently bolted to the cross-heads,

while adjustment bolts 95? therefor serve alsoto prevent black-slippage from pressure in forcing the cleats into the slats. Y Thesqueeze tension on the cross-heads in this operation is of course relieved by the afore said cushioning blocks against which the cam-members will press.

This bar is shown supported by springs On the rear ends of the cross-heads are yokes 96 providing support for upper pushplates 97 extending forwardly in the planes of the discharge slots in the back hoppersections so as to engage behind and push their lowermost cleats onto the aforementioned bridge-members on inward movement of the cross-heads. These plates are preferably in pairs adapted to longitudinal and lateral adjustment on the yokes (see Fig. 1).

Said back-yokes also support parallel bars most cleats from both sections of the hoppers, the blocks 99 are carried off the under blocks, thereby allowing the yoke-bars to lift the tamps above the cleats in the front sections of the hoppers.

The parallel bars sliding on opposite sides of the hoppers are connected by cross-bars 100 carrying L-shaped brackets 101 adjustable laterally between the aforementioned span-bars and having their lower ends transversely overlying the bridge-members. In the lower ends of these brackets are springpressed plungers 102 similar to those in the span-bars, which engage behind and successively push the cleats forward on the bridge-members as the brackets are carried forward with inward movement of the crossheads, but ride over the advanced cleats as the brackets are carried rearwardly with outward movement of said cross-heads. The manner in which the cleats pushed from the back hopper sections are thus fed successively across the bridge-members into the front hopper sections will be clear upon reference to Fig. 4. c

In said Fig. 4, the end of a double? grooved tier of slats is represented between the hoppers in position for cleats to be driven into the lower grooves in opposite ends thereof. Obviously, the upper grooves might be brought opposite the hopper discharge slots if the ledge-railsBQ: were made to support the slats at a lower level: be tween the hoppers. i

The illustrative machine is adapted-to operate as described on slats of different thicknesses required: for

slats of standard thickness, only single saws are used and the slat tiers are formed into complete composite sections with the forcing of a single cleat into each end thereof. Such are allowed to discharge directly off the different purposes. When making box-ends for example from relation.

table into suitable receivers. But when operating on slats of double the standard thickness, then, as in the present instance, double grooving saws are used and two cleats are driven into each end of the slat tiers to form complete sections.

Double cleating of the double-grooved tiers may be accomplished by taking the sections discharged after single cleating and running them again but upside down through that part of the machine which lies forward of the grooving saws, so that cleats will then be driven into the grooves left empty from the first run through the machine. -VVhen doing this, it is of course necessary to interrupt the feeding of loose slats onto the longitudinal conveyor. This double cleating may also be accomplished by modifying the machine for simultaneous double cleating as hereinbefore indicated. However, for purposes of high speed production, it has been found more expedient to discharge the incompleted sections from the table of the illustrative machine onto the longitudinal conveyor of a duplicate or similar machine omitting the slat feeding hopper and the trim and grooving saws, and in which the sections are brought with their upper grooves opposing the discharge slots of the cleat hoppers. After the double cleating, such sections are sliced or sawed in half on the line indicated by X in the slat of Fig. 4, thus making two composite sections out of one.

The illustrative machine is also adapted to adjustment for making composite sections of different lengths. For that purpose, the parallel ledge-rails 82 with associated hoppers and saws are cooperatively movable adjustably in opposite directions in maintained This is accomplished through a two-way worm-shaft 103 shown journaled below and transversely of the table. The oppositely pitched worm-portions of this shaft work through hanger-bearings (not visible in the drawings) extending upwardly through transverse grooves in the table top and fastened respectively to the ledge-rails on opposite sides of the table. Said shaft carries a hand-crank (not shown) on one end and rotation thereof is imparted to the aforementioned two-way wornrshaft 49 through a chain 104 passing over sprockets 103 and 4C9 respectively on the two shafts. An idling sprocket 105 advantageously serves for tightening this chain. The rotor-shafts of the grooving saw motors also extend through transverse slots in the table top and pass through apertured lug-portions 106 of the ledge-rails (see Fig. 1).

From the foregoing, it will be understood that slight rotation of the shaft 103 communicated to the motor-moving shaft 49 will cause even lateral movement of the ledgerails in opposite directions to desired spacement, the slat hopper, grooving saw and cleat hopper with gluing apparatus on one side of the table being connected and movable with the ledge-rail on that side and the push-over levers, trim saw, grooving saw and cleat hopper with gluing apparatus on the other side of the table being connected and movable with the ledge-rail on said other side, so that all parts are moved cooperatively in maintained relation. The reason for mounting the trim saw motor for movement transversely of the table is thus explained. As the parts are moved to variable adjustment in the manner stated, the bevelgear 30 is also moved along its shaft 26 in uninterrupted engagement with the gear 31 for maintaining the drive between said shaft and the shaft 20 of the transverse conveyor.

The machine as hereinbefore indicated is powered by an electric motor 29, which in this instance operates through a reduction gear 107 for driving the operable parts at appropriate speeds. A motor control switch is represented at 108 in Fig. 3.

An improved high speed machine for making composite wooden sections or boxends is thus provided. As various changes and modifications in construction with different combinations and sub-combinations of parts may obviously be made without dc parting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is not intended to limit it by the appended claims to the specific construction shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine for making composite sections or panels from scrap lumber, comprising in combination, a table; a hopper on said table within which wooden slats or pieces are arranged side-by-side in tiers; an endless conveyor working below said hopper and adapted to successively remove and convey loose tiers of slats therefrom; a second endless conveyor working at substantially right angles to the first conveyor and onto which the former delivers; means for trimming the slats to equal lengths and means for cutting grooves therein while carried by the second conveyor; a platform-portion onto which the conveyor delivers the slats; a push-element engaging behind the delivered slats to move them forwardly on said platform-portion; a shifting stop-bar between which and said push-element the de livered slats are temporarily held under lateral compression during a cleating operation; cleat-feeding hoppers arranged on op posite sides of said platform-portion where the slats are held between the push and stop elements, means for driving wooden cleats from said hoppers and into the grooves of the slats held therebetween; and means operating said push and stop elements and holding the latter with the slats stationary during the cleating operation.

2'. A machine for making composite sections or panels from scrap lumber, comprising in combination, a hopper for assembling wooden slats or pieces side-by-side in tiers; a conveyor continuously moving through said hopper and removing the tiers of slats successively therefrom; another conveyor continuously moving at substantially right angles to the first conveyor and onto which said first conveyorsuccessively delivers the tiersof slats in crosswise relation; means aligning the ends of the slats at one side of the second conveyor as they are successively carried along therewith; means on the 0pposite side of said second conveyor for trimming the slats to equal lengths; means maintaining the ends of the" slats in align ment at both sides of the second conveyor as they are carried along therewith; means forcutting'grooves in opposite ends of the slats while still carried by the second conveyor; opposing cleat-feeding hoppers between which said second conveyor successively delivers the tiers of slats; and means associated with the lastunentioned hoppers for driving cleats therefrom into the opposite grooved ends of the slat tiers, thereby rigidly uniting the latter.

3. In a machine according to the preceding claim, yielding pressure means for holding the slats down firmly while carried along by the second conveyor, said means comprising spring fingers arranged successively along elevated bars supported by the means maintaining the ends ofthe slats in alignment while carried along by said conveyor.

l. A machine for making composite sections or panels from pieces of scrap lumber, comprising in combination, a table; a hopper on said table within which the wooden pieces are placed side-by-side and one upon another in tiers; an endless conveyor working throughthe bottom of said hopper and adapted to successively remove and convey the tiers of loose pieces therefrom; a second endless conveyor "working at substantially right angles to the first conveyor and onto which the former delivers the tiers of pieces; means for trimming the pieces to equal lengths and means for cutting grooves in oppositeends thereof while carried on the second conveyor; guide and yielding pressure means arranged substantially parallel with said second conveyor for guiding and holding the pieces firmly down while being conveyed thereon; a platform-portion onto which the second conveyor delivers the tiers of pieces; a push-element engaging behind the delivered pieces to move them forwardly on said platform-portion; a shifting stopbar between which and said push-element the pieces are momentarily held under lat- 'eral compression during a cleat-applying operation; cleat feeding hoppers arranged on opposite sides of said platform-portion where the pieces are held between the push and stop elements with their grooved ends opposite the hopper outlets; means fol-driving cleats from said hoppers into the grooved ends of the pieces while the latter are held under compression between the hoppers; and means for operating said push and stop elements to compress and hold the pieces during the cleat-applying operation and to then releasethe same for discharge from the table.

5. A machine for making composite sectimes or panels from slats or pieces of scrap lumber comprising in combination, a table; an endless conveyor workinglongitudinally of sa1d table and adapted to successively push tiers of wooden slats laterally therealong; ahopper on the table adjacent to said conveyor in which the slats are placed side-by-side and one upon another in tiers with their longitudinal edges at substantially right angles to said conveyor; a secconveyor; means for maintaining the ends of the slats in alignment and means for holding the slats down firmly while carried by the longitudinal conveyor; auxiliary means for holding or steadying the slats during the trimming and grooving operations; a platform-portion onto which the longitudinal conveyor delivers the slats; a pus'lrelement engaging behind the delivered slats to move them forwardly on said platform-portion, a shifting stop-bar against which the slats are forwardlymoved and between which andsaid push-element they are temporarily held under lateral compression during a cleat-applying operation; cleat-feeding hoppers arranged on opposite sides of said platform-portion where the slats are held between the push-element and stop-bar with their grooved ends opposing the hopper outlets; means for gluecoating the cleats fed through said opposing hoppers; means for driving the glue coated cleats from said hoppers into the grooved ends of the slats while the latter are held between the hoppers; and means stop-bar to compress and hold the slats during the cleat-applying operation and to release'the same for discharge from the table when saidoperation is completed.

6.- A machine according to the preceding claim wherein the means for driving the -for operating said push-element and said cleats from the opposing cleat-feeding hoppers into the grooved ends of the slats held therebetween serve also to feed the cleats through said hoppers. I

7. A machine according to claim 11, wherein the means for driving the cleats from the opposing cleat-feeding hoppers into the grooved ends of the slats held therebetween serve also to feed the cleats through said hoppers in contact with means for applying glue thereto.

8. In a machine of the character described, means for feeding wooden cleats in application to the grooved ends of wooden slats, said means comprising a hopper-structure embodying front and back sections in which the cleats are stacked and fed from the bottom of the latter into the top of the former, together with means for pushing the lowermost cleats from the bottoms of the two sections simultaneously, the cleat pushed from the front section being forced directly into the grooved ends of the slats positioned receptively thereto, and the cleat pushed from the back section being moved to a position along the path of feed to the front hopper section.

9. In combination with a cleat-feeding hopper-structure according to the preceding claim, means for applying a coating of glue to cleats fed from the back to the front hopper section, said means embodying a roller supported between the sections in a bath of glue in position for applying a coating thereof to one side of the cleats fed successively thereagainst, whereby the cleats subsequently dropped into the front hopper section will acquire a coating on their other sides also from other cleats dropping thereon.

10. A hopper structure for feeding wooden cleats according to claim 8, wherein the means for simultaneously pushing the lowermost cleats from the bottoms of the two hopper sections have associated means simultaneously operating to feed the cleats from the one section to the other.

11. In a machine of the character described, means for feedin wooden cleats in application to the groove opposite ends of slat tiers, said means comprising opposing hopper-structures each embodying front and back sections through which the cleats are fed from the latter to the former across a bridge-member and in contact with glue-applying means; together with means for projecting the lowermost cleats from the front sections of the two hopper-structures simultaneously into the opposing grooved ends of the slat tiers positioned therebetween, while simultaneously feeding the cleats from the back to the front hopper sections so as to keep the latter full.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

HAROLD PITMAN SCHUGK. 

